Advantages

"Space saving"

"Many variations of coffee"

"Customisable options"

"Easy to use"

Disadvantages

"Hard to clean drip tray"

Loud

"Small cups only"

"Small water capacity"

The best part of my mornings.

Never in my life could I have imagined myself owning a coffee machine. After receiving this as a christmas present, I can''t live without it! It makes very delicious coffee in seconds, and is easy to use, just put in the pod and press the button and you''re set. I personally like to use the espresso then add milk or cream, so I was a little disappointed at the size of the cups that would fit under the machine. We had to go out especially to buy mugs that fit.
You can customise the amount of coffee that comes out by holding the buttons down until the desired amount has poured out too, which is ideal since we like much more than the default setting gives. This being said, it means we can only make 2 or 3 cups of coffee before we need to refill the machine with water again. Expect not to be able to have a conversation whilst it''s running either, it is very loud! The delicious result is totally worth it, though.
There are so many variations of coffee you can buy for this machine. It is worth trying several and picking a few favourites. Since we don''t live near the Nespresso shops we order these online and the pods come straight to your door, but you must order at least 50. We also tried the substitute pods from supermarkets that fit the machine, but these reduce the water flow greatly, it''s not worth the savings.
This machine doesn''t drip much, which is great, however when it does and these build up, it is so hard to clean because I haven''t yet found a way to access the inside of the tray. I just keep rinsing until it''s clean, this takes a long time! Like I previously said though, everything is totally worth it when you''re enjoying the rich coffee this machine produces.

Comments

Advantages

Reliability

Disadvantages

I'd really recommend this neat, effective and reliable machine.

In 2010, we had a toddler who woke up several times a night and needed attention all day. In an attempt to save my sanity and keep me awake, I did what I never thought I would do...and bought a Nespresso machine.

As you probably know (particularly if you saw those adverts with George Clooney), Nespresso is a range of coffee pods that fit into a special range of machines. The coffee pods cover a variety of tastes, although since my preference is for extremely strong coffee I only really know about the strongest one, ristretto!

So, if I like coffee, why had I never bought one before? The main reason is that I hadn't liked the idea of being fixed to a particular brand of coffee. It's a risk, after all: suppose you don't like the coffee in the range, or find it too expensive? I was also wary of the fact that Nespresso essentially had a monopoly on the supply: monopolies have the potential to be bad news for consumers.

The thing that pushed me over the edge was convenience. Anybody who has ever, for whatever reason, had to wake up several times in the night will know exactly how tired you can get - and I was back at work part-time and seriously needed to be up and alert on my working days. I was seduced to Nespresso by the thought of a coffee machine next to the bed, and the ability to get a shot of coffee within minutes of waking up! Some good reviews on Amazon for the M100 (I didn't know about this site then, I wish I had) sealed the deal. I've just looked at my Amazon account, and see that I paid £124.09 for it.

I'm afraid that this review will be really deficient in technical details, and I'm sorry about that - I simply don't know what a bar is, and can't talk knowledgeably about pumps. Apologies ;-) but what I can tell you is that I was delighted from the moment I got it. It's a relatively small footprint, not far off the size of a food processor, and sat neatly and smartly on the bedside table. You switch it on, and about a minute later the button glows constantly (rather than flashing on and off) and you get to put your cup under (warning - I think that it will only really work with espresso cups, or relatively low cups), and press the button for a lovely hot coffee. The time between switching it on and getting your coffee is less than two minutes for my machine. When you pull up the handle to drop the next capsule in, the previous one drops neatly into a collector below, ready for emptying when it's full. They give you a bag to put used capsules in, and when they deliver they take the old ones for recycling. How eco-friendly is that?!

The strongest flavour, ristretto, is (to my palate) as good as an espresso I'd pay much more for in the high street. There are other flavours, too, some designed for longer coffees. Occasionally, they have 'special' flavours - I've tried a couple of these, I enjoyed one but didn't enjoy the other! Nespresso also has three decaffeinated coffee pods, too, in a range of strengths - my mum enjoys the stronger one. A great feature of this machine is that you can set the length of your coffee - it has two buttons for pre-sets and to set a length you hold one of the buttons down and release it when there's enough water for your taste. If one member of the household prefers a longer coffee than the other, you can use both presets and everybody can be happy! I like a particularly short, strong coffee and this feature enables me to enjoy it this way.

So what about the cost? The cost per capsule is usually 29p (with some blends at 33p) and you need to order in packs of 10, with the overall order being a multiple of 50 capsules. Postage is 4.95 per order - steep, but sometimes free with special offers. To be fair, it's always very quick and reliable. Also, since the capsules have a really long shelf life, you can order lots at once, which brings down the postage-per-capsule cost. If I order 250 at once - pretty much 9 month's supply: the postage is 2p per capsule, bringing the total to 31p each. Do I wish it was cheaper? Yes! However, I also think that the quality is great. It's consistent and the coffee is always incredibly fresh. In the past I've had coffee machines that have used beans or ground coffee, and because of the faff I've not used them, the beans have gone off.... at least with Nespresso I know that for 29p (or 31 including postage) I get great coffee when I'd like it. The machine has been greatly used and I've had no problems at all over the two years I've owned it.

Just one more thought: Nespresso has been around for much longer than most of us think, and the first patents to be granted concerning the system are starting to expire. There is the possibility that more firms may be allowed to sell compatible capsules, which may bring the cost down and make the machines more attractive to new users. However, latest news is that Nestle are opposing this and have had some success in the courts - only time will tell what the outcome will be.

Comments

Advantages

Reliability

Disadvantages

A brilliant buy, suitable for any coffee lovers!

I could not get through the day without starting it with an espresso! And Nespresso is the best man for the job! The machine is extremely easy to use; you have to make sure that the water tank is full and insert a capsule. The espresso takes a around ten seconds to make, depending on the size of your coffee. The coffee comes out steaming hot and deliciously rich. Nespresso have counters across many different shops, such as Selfridges, in order to purchase capsules. If you cannot go to a counter, you can order your coffee online efficiently and quickly. The capsule come in a variety of tastes and strength, depending on how strong you like your coffee. However, if espressos are not your thing, and you prefer cappuccino for example, the Nespresso machine comes with a milk frother that you can use to whip up your frothy milk! Making coffee could not be simpler! Although the price is slightly high, it is worth every penny! The machine costs approximately £115, although, price can differ according to the place of purchase. The capsule pods cost 29p each, but can be bought in packs of 10 or up to 600 on their website. If you buy the coffee in Selfridges you can only buy them in packs of 10. A pack of 10 costs £2.90. This may seem expensive but if you consider the price of a coffee in a cafe, one coffee equals around 10 Nespressos. I think this is a bargain, especially when Nespresso is often higher quality and much tastier. You can buy Nespresso machines from many high street department stores such as John Lewis and Selfridges or online at Amazon, for example.I have never had a problem with my machine and it is long-lasting. I cannot rave about this product enough and it is highly recommended to all coffee lovers!

Comments

Advantages

Reliability

Disadvantages

a great machine

I am a tea drinker at heart because I cannot abide instant Coffee so my Husband decided to buy a coffee machine and after supposedly a lot of research he decided to go for Nespresso Magimix M100 basically the same as his Brother!

I am very impressed with his choice as we already know that this is an excellent coffee machine and at £119.00 it is excellent value for the quality of coffee you get.

The Nespresso machines all use capsules which have to be ordered directly from Nespresso www.nespresso.com there are currently 16 varieties of coffee which have different intensity and different aromatic notes you can discover which ones would suit your taste but using their selector and the advantage of the capsules is that everyone can have their favourite coffee which in our family is great as I like espresso and my Husband is a milky coffee man!

The capsules work out at approx 20p which is great value for good quality coffee.

My top features of this machineI like that you can have different coffee strengths and flavours I found that this machine is very easy to use the machine has space to store 14 capsules and an energy save mode which is invaluable on a busy morning . I am very happy with this machine and would recommend this.

StockistsYou can by Nespresso at John Lewis or if you look on the Nespresso website you can find your nearest stockist and I have to say this really knocks the need to go to out for coffee on the head!

Comments

Advantages

Reliability

Disadvantages

Good Value for Money and Reliable

My First ever Nespresso machine just loved it when i first read reviews for this product there was some mixed opinions but I wanted a nespresso machine so badly so it took a chance and bought it as it was within my budget! Well! I have not been let down by this product it did everything it said and made me the perfect espresso every day! The clear water reservoir is a great idea as I can see how much is left in the machine. You do however need to make sure that you don't run out of water in the reservoir as it just carries on trying to dispense, it would of been nice if it just flashed with a warning to say that there was low water levels but it is something I can live without. It would also of been nice, to be able to fit tall latte glasses or coffee mugs but it doesn't which was not the end of the world as i made the espresso first in small espresso cup then poured it into my latte cup. The water is not tepid water like some negative reviews I have read but perfect temperature to drink your espresso. It is a good machine and it is reliable and would last for years with good care!

Comments

Advantages

Reliability

Disadvantages

Become a barista in your own home! Impress your mates with your coffee!

I bought this wonderful machine for my husband and it has been fantastic! I was initially wary of buying a coffee machine as I didn't relish the thought of mess and coffee granules all over my kitchen surfaces, and if you're like me and have a cleaning obsession then this machine is for you!One of the best things is it's size - it is so compact and sits right next to my toaster, in the corner of the worksurface. It's a simple design and looks great. It is also ridiculously easy to use and you literally cannot make a bad cup - power button on, wait a minute or so for it to heat up, pop in a capsule of coffee, cup underneath and press start! No faffing about with granules etc. and no mess! The capsules are great too, as you can buy different blends, strengths, de-caff etc. We joined the nespresso club and get freebies every now and again and also hear about new or limited edition coffees. The capsules aren't pierced until they're put in the machine so the coffee stays fresh, unlike packets of ground coffee which have a limited life once they've been opened.The capsules can be delivered to your house which is handy and we get really excited when we've ordered new ones to try! The coffee does taste really good too - the only downside is that we're now a bit snobby when we go for a coffee anywhere else as we know we can have a good one back at home!

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

Buyer be aware of cleaning difficulties and rising coffee pod costs

We have had a magimix 100 espresso machine for just under year now and I have to say the Nespresso coffee range for this machine is excellent. Our buying decision was swayed heavily by the offer of a free Aeroccino milk kettle/frother. The combined units look good in a modern kitchen. With a liking for lattes and cappucinos we use the Aeroccino unit a few times a day. Like the Magimix machine it is easy to use, and heats/ froths up the milk almost silently and in under two minutes. However, we find the milk, skimmed or semi skimmed, burns and sticks to the inside base of the non- stick interior surface of the Aeroccino, and its a real pain to clean it. We sent the first machine back due to this and Nespresso to their credit replaced it - no hassle. Unfortunately, the second unit performs the same. Not-good-enough for a premier product in my opinion. ALso witha captive market for the coffee pods Nespresso seem to raise the price at will. About a 10 percent increase on some products in a year (2009) of very low inflation. Think on four cups a day of a popular pod is over £33 per month.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

Good solid machine that will last for a good few years

The Magimix Nespresso M100 espresso machine is a fairly compact espresso machine that would look at home in most modern kitchens. The build quality is reassuringly solid and tactile for a predominantly plastic machine. The grate upon which the cup stands is very easy to clean and the trough beneath is removable for easy cleaning.

The water tank at the rear of the machine is fairly cumbersome and you have to move the machine in order to refill. The most worrying thing about the M100 is the noise it makes whilst in action. The huge vibration not only gives a deafening noise but often leads to the machine jumping along the kitchen surface.

The price is towards the higher end of the capsule espresso machine market but you would expect to say more for the style and quality of the machine. The faults are livable and the result is a good quality machine that will last for years.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

The quality is assured but the price is high, regards to other capsules coffee machines.

Are you a serious coffee's lover with a knowledge about? Are you an enthusiast drinker of the black and dark aromatic hot miscellanea of different blends of coffee powder? If so this machine is for you.

With a small expense, just a little more than one hundred euro you may buy a perfect coffee machine: the design is compact, you just have to insert a capsule into the loading system, and turn the machine on. In seconds you will get a coffee that will be indeed the same that a coffee taken at the cafeteria in the high street.

The coffee machine is offered with a selection of 12 different Nespresso Premium Blend capsules, while additional capsules are supplied by a 48 hours mail order service directly to your home or office.

The secret of this coffee machine is that everything will last clean around th emachine: no more powder on the table and on the floor, under your shoes, as you make the floor dirty. Now, by the capsules, you will be able to prepare a coffee in the cleanest of your corner into your office, or at home.

Comments

Advantages

Reliability

Disadvantages

Highly Recommended

Real coffee at last! Easy to use, quick, no mess, a delight.Having now used this birthday present for 3 months it is a pleasure to be able to make 1 expresso or several, it's just so easy. Choose the flavour you fancy, pop the capsule in and hey presto! For those liking latte or cappuccino the aeroccino has an interchangeable frother / spinner and the milk is warmed in the appropriate stlye.The Magimix M100 has an easily refillable 1L water container sitting at the rear of the machine, fill this up with fresh water twice daily, it then requires the machine to be turned on for approx a minute then away you go. The Nespresso range of coffee is superb catering for every style including decaffeinated. Pop the capsule in and turn the water on for 20 secs or so according to taste, but don't forget to turn it off. It really can't get an easier than this perfect machine.The tray for the trips is easily removed and rinsed and the waste capsules are collected and easy to bin - why have we never had one of these before?Purchasing the capsules (approx 25p ea) is done over the net or phone, with next day delivery this service has never failed to impress.This compact machine (6Kg) is also good to look at and fits in a modern compact or large kitchen with aplomb.

Pros: Speed, ease to use, easy to clean so little mess - Great coffeeCons: With expresso only, it can pay to warm the cup first (but this is stated in the instructions). Not the quietest machine available.

Comments

Advantages

Reliability

Disadvantages

Probably best of range thouroughly recommend

The Magimix Nespresso M100 is very sleek and stylish and small space saving on your worktops, it is very easy to use and safe with no splashing or spilage. It is very differicult to find a good expresso machine I have had three different makes within the past year and finally I have found an expresso machine which can make amazing tasting coffee just like in a caf'e. At over £ 100 it is priced with the top makes but the Magimix Nespresso definatley delivers on taste now I can have great tasting coffee morning, lunch and night.I have recommeded the Magimix Nespresso to my family but you really have to use it personally to see how easy it is to use and how great the coffee tastes. The Magimix Nespresso is a very durable product made to last, made for coffee lovers I m so glad I found a great coffee maker atlast.

Comments

Advantages

Reliability

Disadvantages

worth every penny - eat your heart out Starbucks!

We had an old, cheap coffee machine that gave up the ghost. I researched the net, hunting for one that came highly recommended. Up popped the Nespresso time and time again. We purchased this machine and are very happy with it. It is neat, small and stylish and fits tidly away on the kitchen worktop. Since having the machine, I reckon we have probably sold 3 or 4 more, to all our friends and family who have raved over the taste of the coffee. It is a mild inconvenience to only be able to order the refill coffee capsules online, or over the telephone, but you soon get used to ordering ahead, and their service is quick and polite. They also have monthly specials, where you are offered a limited edition coffee to purchase. I love getting up on a Sunday morning and smelling the wafts of lovely coffee aroma's around the house. This has been a big hit with all, say goodbye to Starbucks!

The machine is available in various colours, and your initial buy will come with a set of 12 coffee capsules (each a different flavour - this is good, as a tester to see which ones you like and may want to order). It also comes with a ring binder containing information on Nespresso and also a detailed description of each coffee, confirming strength, flavour and whether it is decaff etc. The variety of different coffee's available is very good.

The Nespresso only takes around 30 seconds to 1 minute to warm up before you can start pouring your coffee. It has a drip tray and can take a small expresso cup or a large mug.

The coffee capsules probably work out at around 23p each - but they are worth every penny, especially when the standard of coffee easily surpasses the high street shops. You can continue to purchase mix n match boxes of capsules, or you can buy boxes of individual flavours.

Comments

Advantages

Reliability

Disadvantages

This is an ideal machine for any kitchen beautiful coffee in an instant.

I have never been a fan of coffee machines, they are generally quite large so not ideal for my tiny kitchen, you have to grind the beans etc, not to mention clean the things. However A few weeks ago I visited a friend who had the Magimix Nespresso M100. I was instantly converted. It is a small sleek black and silver machine that fits neatly on the kitchen worktop. It comes with a free Aeroccino (milk frother) This is brilliant you just pour the milk in and press go, it heats and froths the milk for you. You can also turn the whisk in the lid around so it just heats the milk and doesn't froth it, which is good for hot chocolate. The machine is so easy to use, it has a removable water jug that fits on the back of the machine. It has the pod drop on the top where you just place the nespresso pod unopened into it. You pick long or short cup and then press go. This is a manual machine you cant just leave it so when your cup if full you press stop and the water will stop. The machine automatically discards the pods into the pod collector which will hold about 14.

You have to buy the Nespresso pods via Nespresso boutiques (there is one in Harrods, and in Selfridges stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham) or you can order online at Nespresso website. It works out approx 25p per pod but in my opinion I think it is totally worth the money. There are various strength coffees and my machine came with a selection pack, once you know what you like you can order just that flavour.

In Italy where coffee is king and most other countries in Europe people do not drink their coffee steaming hot, so this will not come out boiling, by boiling the water it will take some of the flavour away from the coffee I think the temperature goes up to 89 degrees. If you want it hotter you could warm your cup up before putting it under or heat your milk in a pan and add it that way.

My machine cost £129.99 from Lakeland. I also bought a pod stand that cost £29.00. This holds all the pods ready to use.

Comments

Advantages

Reliability

Disadvantages

Highly Recommended to all Coffee Lovers!

I have been searching rapidly on the internet for an espresso machine and recently found the Magimix Nespresso M100. After reading some good reviews I purchased this model and I totally love it, it is easy to use and takes up less counter space than most other coffee machines out there.

The Magimix Nespresso M100 has a detachable water container, drip tray and the coffee collector slips out easily for easy cleaning. When I opened my product, it was nicely packaged and the machine looked rather nice, smooth and had rounded edges. Having previously owed coffee machine before, this machine was easy to clean.

The nespresso is quick and very easy to use. Following the instructions in the manual, I waited for the water to heat up then run some water through the machine as instructed. This heated up the insides of the machine and it ensured the coffee would be hot.I then pushed the handle back and pot the coffee pod, and pressed the water button for a little while (30 seconds) and then lifted the handle back up again. The coffee was amazing and i have never tasted a cleaner fresh coffee.

This coffee machine is the cheapest and most efficient in my opinion, I purchased the nespresso for £86.00. The only downside for this product is the capsules, which you have to order but it is always easy and delivery is always efficient and complete.

Overall a brilliant addition to my kitchen and is always a hit with guests, highly recommended to all coffee lovers!.

Thanks For Reading =]

Nicole xxx

Comments

Advantages

Reliability

Disadvantages

Excellent investment. A superb machine in every way. Almost faultless.

Please note my review includes the 'Aeroccino' device which is often included in the same box as the Magimix M100. I will first deal with the M100 machine itself, then write a shorter review for the Aeroccino.

Cost: £126 from www.johnlewis.com - Also available in store. £30 cashback available until early 2009 - see redemption forms in-store for details.

Upon purchasing the machine I was surprised by the large box. I did not sample the M100 before purchase, and was concerned that the machine might be very large. Fortunately, the machine is actually extremely compact, and is much smaller than many other coffee machines on the market. It's dimensions are approximately 25cm x 16cm x 29cm. Bear in mind that the cup in the above image is an espresso cup.

The M100 is very unobtrusive on the work surface, and thanks to the comtemporary but simple design should sit well in any kitchen. The device is mainly plastic, which is finished to a high standard. The pod-insertion lever (silver thing on top) is metal and very sturdy. The grill on which the cup sits is chromed and once again of a good quality. The M100 is on the whole very well constructed and designed.

During my time using the machine I have only encountered one problem with the design. The platform on which the cup sits is fixed and non-adjustable. Once again bearing in mind that the cup in the picture is an espresso cup, there is very little room between the nozzle and the platform. Wide cappucino mugs, or any conventional sized mugs fit easily under the nozzle with some simple manoevering, but tall glasses such as those often used for caffe lattes will not sit on the platform. Instead, you must hold the glass under the nozzle. This is a tiny disadvantage to a brilliant machine. Frankly, this 'disadvantage' can be ignored. I almost feel guilty writing it.

--- Functionality ---

The Nespresso M100 is extraordinarily easy to use. When you start up the machine for the first time you simply turn it on, wait roughly 45 seconds for the internal heating element to warm up, then press a button to pass water through the machine. After you have allowed a little water through, to 'flush' the system, you are ready to start. Within a minute of turning it on you are ready to start making coffee. Inserting a pod involves lifting the aforementioned lever and simply dropping in a pod. Once you are ready to start, you palce a cup under the nozzle and press the same button to start the water flow. There are only 2 buttons on the entire machine - but you need no more than this. The M100 is successful in its simplicity.

The water tank holds 1 litre and if sufficiently large. The machine does not have a built in steam attachment (which is where the Aeroccino comes in handy) but this keeps the price down. Thus, all of the water is used in the coffee and it should make 10 cups before it is empty. Refilling it is fast and simple, a 10 second job. It simply clips out of place and slides back in.

As mentioned in previous reviews, the machine does not automatically switch off once a certain amount of water has passed through. Instead you must manually press the same switch again and the water will swap. You do not have to hold the button down during the process.

Once you have finished using the pod (each pod will make 1 cup of coffee) you raise the lever and the pod drops through into a collection basket which can be removed and emptied later. This is an overlooked and useful feature. The basket holds perhaps 7 or 8 capsules before it is full, so there is not need to empty it constantly. You can insert a new pod in its place and you are ready to start again. This process takes perhaps 2-3 seconds.

After you are finished with the machine, you flush a little more water though and empty the collection basket, giving it a quick wipe. Cleaning the machine is as simple as that.

The only downside I can propose in regards to functionality is that the water flow is manual. Getting the perfect cup of coffee is very much a case of trial and error, although this is part of the fun. You will very quickly learn how much water to pass through each time to get the perfect strength. The strength of coffee from the pod lowers as more water is passed through.

The pods themselves are very easy to use. This machine does not take loose coffee grounds and only works with the Nespresso branded pods. However, the coffee within these pods is of a very high quality. You recieve 12 tester pods which cover the variety of coffee's provided by Nespresso, which is very useful. Priced at £0.25 per capsule, the cost is very reasonable. More expensive than your instant coffee but cheaper and of no less quality than your Starbucks or Costa Coffee ranges. Pods are available via online order, freephone or through a mail order scheme. More details are given in the 'bumph' of instructions provided with the machine.

Included is an attractive little folder to keep all of the information and instructions. Details of the coffee types are provided, as well as information on how to operate and maintain your machine. Instructions are detailed if a little confusing. The key operational instructions are in diagram format, and they required a degree of creative interpretation. However once again this is a tiny tiny flaw and in no way impacts on the quality of the machine.

If you have done research into coffee machines at this price range you will have no doubt seen the new Gaggia range of similarly priced machines such as the Gaggia K1. These utilise a Gaggia specific pod-system, which according to many of the in-store experts is not as good as the Nespresso system. Also, they voiced concerns that the new gaggia pods, if not successful, may be dropped. On the other hand, the Nespresso pod system is well established so there should be no difficulty obtaining pods in the long term.

--- Performance ---

Brilliant. The system uses a water pump system as opposed to a steam system to pump the coffee through the machine. A pump system is far superior, as the steam system often burns the grounds and leads to a bitter coffee.

The pressure of a pump is measured in bar, and anything above 15 bar is acknowledged to extract the full flavour from the coffee. The M100 boasts a powerful 19 bar pump, much higher than rivals such as the Gaggia Cafitaly system which utilises a 15 bar pump.

The M100 uses thermoblock heating technology, which means that there is no boiling of water involved. The water is quickly heated as it passes through the machine to be steaming hot by the time it reaches your cup. This means there is no waiting around for water to boil.

The quality of the coffee is exceptional, and unrivalled by many more expensive machines I have tried. It produces rich, smooth espressos with a superb crema. The variation in coffee styles provides something for everybodys palate, and with some milk froth/warm milk the Cappucinos and Lattes are superb as well.

The machine makes a fair bit of noise but this is expected given the power of the pump. It is no louder than the majority of other coffee machines on the market. Vibrations are minimal. Reviews on products such as the Gaggia K1 suggest that vibrations on other machines can be so bad as to spill coffee from the cup!

The coffee from the machine is hot but not boiling. It is wise to run a little hot water into the cup first to ensure your coffee is steaming hot. The machine takes approximately 50 seconds to pass the required amount of water through each pod.

As previously mentioned the machine does not come with a steam attachment. This small sacrifice keeps the cost low, and with the Aeroccino is not a sacrifice at all.

The cost-performace ratio of the machine is huge. When they demonstrate the Nespresso system in John Lewis or any other store they don't use the expensive Krupps Nespresso system - they use the Magimix M100, because it makes exactly the same coffee. The only difference between the M100 and more expensive machines is things like a digital display. For the Layman wanting to enjoy a simple but brilliant cup of coffee for a reasonable price, the M100 is in my experience unbeatable. For the price, almost perfection. 5 stars across the board.

This milk warmer and foamer is being sold packaged with the M100 by many retailers.

It is the size of a large mug, and finished in chrome. Once again it is very attractive and will sit well in any kitchen. The construction appears to be solid.

The aeroccino comes with two attachments depending on whether you want frothed milk or warm milk. These attachments are magnetic, and simply drop into the machine. To turn the machine on you simply place it on its base (plugged into the mains) and press the start button. The machine then operates for a set time. Unfortunately you cannot regulate this time. If your milk is not frothed then you cannot run the program again. I believe this is due to a temperature sensor in the unit. Once the milk is at a certain temerature it will not work again until cold milk is inserted. This can lead to the milk being warm but the froth being insufficient. I used to have to use my Aerolatte (a small electric whisk) to adequately froth the milk before using it.

There are two ways to solve this problem. First, use very cold milk. This means by the time it has been heated the froth should be sufficient. The second solution, albeit a bit odd, is to use CRAVENDALE FILTERED MILK. I don't know what it is about this milk but it seems to work brilliantly. Now I have found this milk I don't need to use the aerolatte at all. I know in theory milk is milk but for whatever reason this certain type of milk works the best by far.

The capacity of the aeroccino is only enough for a single cup of coffee. This apparent disadvantage works quite nicely however. As the M100 is pumping through its coffee you can be getting the milk ready, and no time is lost. By doing this you can output a cup every minute and a half or so.

Note the Aeroccino retails at ~£46, so this package is truly brilliant value for money.

The unit is very easy to clean, it just needs a good wipe out.

--- SUMMARY ---

This package is excellent value for money. With the £30 cashback you get the M100 and Aeroccino for £97 - unrivalled value in my experience. Some slight trial and error will have you producing excellent coffee's in no time.

I would recommend this product to anybody with a small budget who wants simple and very high quality coffee. Although the need for a steam attachment is made redundant by the Aeroccino, some may prefer to increase their budget and get these extra (what I perceive to be unneccessary) features.

The combination of the two products is a brilliant idea and I whole-heartedly recommend its purchase.